All publications

Course completion and student satisfaction is likely to be influenced by how realistic the… Show more

Course completion and student satisfaction is likely to be influenced by how realistic the expectations of students are when they enrol. This report explores the idea that students' expectations would be more realistic if students have well developed career management competencies. Show less

There have been major advances in online learning in recent years. However, the use of some… Show more

There have been major advances in online learning in recent years. However, the use of some technologies - such as web conferencing - have not been fully explored in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This paper reports on a trial of web conferencing that was conducted by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. There was a high level of participation and interaction by both Show less

This paper highlights the importance of using quality survey instruments to collect data about… Show more

This paper highlights the importance of using quality survey instruments to collect data about student satisfaction. It discusses the challenges involved in collecting quality student satisfaction data and describes a structural equation model as a possible means of designing and collecting this data. Since this paper was presented at the 2007 No Frills conference, a national survey instrument Show less

Students reporting a mental illness do poorly in vocational education and training (VET) compared… Show more

Students reporting a mental illness do poorly in vocational education and training (VET) compared with other disability groups. This is a challenge for the VET sector. Teachers and support staff are at the frontline in responding to the needs of these students and this research explored staff perspectives on how TAFE institutes in Australia are supporting students with mental illnesses. Show less

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a… Show more

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a second chance. This report critically examines this idea, and finds that although VET provides opportunities for a second chance at education to many prospective students, the percentage who complete their studies and gain a qualification is modest. Show less

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople,… Show more

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with a special focus on electrotechnology, automotive and engineering students. It found that pre-apprenticeships have been used in Australia for many years and are widely regarded as a valuable strategy for increasing the supply and quality of potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are favoured by Show less

Using wage data from the Student Outcomes Survey, this study examines whether there is a pay off to … Show more

Using wage data from the Student Outcomes Survey, this study examines whether there is a pay off to actually completing a vocational education and training (VET) qualification, noting that many VET students do not complete full qualifications. Show less

This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003… Show more

This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003 calendar year. The project was undertaken to illustrate the extent of variation in the sector. The report also provides data on TAFE institutes that can be used by the institutes for planning, performance monitoring and marketing purposes. Show less

Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing… Show more

Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing vocational education and training. This study explored the literacy and numeracy support systems available to Indigenous VET students and determined which systems work for both students and teachers and produce positive outcomes for Indigenous students, including successful completion. This has Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in schools have significantly… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in schools have significantly expanded over the past decade. This report investigates stakeholders' views on school-based vocational programs in New South Wales and Queensland schools from 2000 to 2002. It examines the objectives and expected outcomes for students, school VET coordinators, trainers and employers. The research finds Show less

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the… Show more

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the perspectives of the published literature and policy documentation between 1997 and 2003 is the subject of this report. It identifies progress made and concludes that vocational programs in schools are meeting expectations and have achieved a legitimate place in the school curriculum, but that several Show less

This report investigates the characteristics and motivations of students who do not complete the… Show more

This report investigates the characteristics and motivations of students who do not complete the training course they enrol in. It finds that non-completion is associated with poor educational background and unemployment and also finds that the numbers of students who leave vocational education and training without any achievements are over estimated, and improvements to data systems are needed. Show less

Movement in Australia's tertiary sector - between and within higher education and vocational… Show more

Movement in Australia's tertiary sector - between and within higher education and vocational education and training - is a key feature of Australia's post-compulsory education system. This report investigates the extent and nature of student traffic between the two sectors, nationally and in South Australia from 1997 to 2002. Movement from university to VET was dominated by women and mature-aged Show less

This report investigates students' learning experience at a TAFE institute and determines the… Show more

This report investigates students' learning experience at a TAFE institute and determines the factors that influence students to continue or discontinue their studies. Students who reported satisfaction with their learning experience highlighted relationships with teaching staff and respect for their expertise and organisation as significant factors in their experience. While students who were Show less

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which… Show more

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which influence successful completion of vocational education and training (VET) subjects. It finds the likelihood of passing is significantly reduced for people who are Indigenous, have a disability, are of non-English speaking background, are unemployed or are aged 19 years or less. The research is based on Show less

Some students, who complete a preparatory or pre-vocational course in the vocational education and… Show more

Some students, who complete a preparatory or pre-vocational course in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, re-enrol in the same 'enabling' course or at the same level of qualification in following years. Findings of this report indicate that re-enrolling in enabling courses offers positive outcomes. Students who re-enrol in enabling courses are either undertaking more advanced Show less

The adult and community (ACE) sector and technical and further education (TAFE) institutes provide… Show more

The adult and community (ACE) sector and technical and further education (TAFE) institutes provide programs for young people which re-connect them to education. This report suggests these programs and settings are considered effective pathways for some young people who have left school early. The researchers found students are attracted to the programs by key features, including the quality of Show less

This report investigates the medium-term outcomes of vocational education and training (VET)… Show more

This report investigates the medium-term outcomes of vocational education and training (VET) programs delivered by rural schools. It discovers school-based VET programs successfully retain students who may have left school, and assist students' transition from school to work. Work placements are particularly valuable to assist the transition from school to local jobs and apprenticeships, thereby Show less

The current, various policies for fees and charges in the public vocational education and training… Show more

The current, various policies for fees and charges in the public vocational education and training (VET) system in each state and territory are the focus of this report. It finds that due to a host of reasons there is little to no consistency to fees and charges across Australia, and many variations between public VET providers within the same state and territory. Implications arising from this Show less

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the… Show more

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the needs of stakeholders in regional and local communities. In doing so it investigates who the stakeholders are, what they want from training and whether their needs are being met. Show less